Podcast

Why You Need To Adopt An Abundance Mindset

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Before we jump into Amina’s AMAZING post I want to press how much I LOVE this topic and think it’s a must read. When I saw this pop into my inbox, I immediately responded with a “hell yeah!” I’ve hinted about the bumpy road of my past, but don’t get into it very often. Those who have heard my life story know it’s been a challenging road to say the least. Some of the most common questions I get after a speaking engagement is, “How do you stay grounded? How do you keep going? How did you turn it around?”

While there are a lot of answers and factors that have helped me through my recovery process, an abundance mindset has been key. Since turning twenty years old, I have believed there is enough in the Universe to provide me with what I need. Whether thats love, money, landing a job or client, the dream home, whatever. Everything has always come back to flexing my mindset muscles.

This post is a great jumping off point for those who are looking to move from victim to owner of their lives. From scarcity to abundance. The final heading is a real kick in the ass, so make sure you make it ALL the way through! Because there really is enough for each and everyone of us

My relationship with abundance hasn’t always been steady. In fact, I’ve been prone to pity parties, plenty of “why me’s” and tantrums that would put my three year old niece to shame. With social media making perfectly polished lifestyles more visible than ever, it’s easy to catch the “less-than” bug. But, it isn’t the only option.

In six months time, I was able to ditch my scarcity beliefs, adopt a killer abundant mindset and consequently leave my full time job and start the business I’d always dreamed of. I’m a 25 year old recovering job hopper (seven jobs in three years).

Historically, I’m more of your practical, Type-A perfectionist. I wasn’t always into terms like “abundance” and “scarcity”. I found them to be “woo-woo” new age-y phrases with little substance. However, the incredible changes in my life that resulted from abundant thinking are undeniable.

An abundance mindset is the belief that we live in a world where everything we could ever want or need is readily available to us at any given time. Okay, I know it sounds super cheesy. But I promise you, this stuff works. Plus, it’s totally free so definitely worth a try, right?!

Wait, so you’re saying anything I want is just readily available to me at any time? That can’t be right… girl, talk to my bank account!

Yes! Well kind of. Like I said, an abundant mindset is the belief that everything you want is readily available to you at any given time.

You see, our thoughts are crazy powerful tools. In fact, our thoughts, in most cases, massively influence our actions. Everything from how we interact with our loved ones, pursue our career goals, even how we get dressed in the morning.

For example, let’s say you read a post about an opening for your dream job. Instantly you think, “Ugh, they want one more year of experience than I have and so many people will probably apply. I never have luck with these things.” So you don’t apply.

Or maybe the business coach you’ve been dying to work with is finally relaunching her one-on-one program and you think to yourself, “Oh my goodness, it’s fate! But how am I going to find the money for it? I’m going to have to give up all of the social events I planned for this summer just to pay the deposit. All that stress for a month of lonely ramen & wine nights in front of my TV? Hell to the no.” So you don’t reserve your spot.

You see an opening for your dream job. You think “Oh my goodness! I bet a lot of people are applying but, I was made for this! No way I’m turning down an opportunity to finally take hold of the life I love! Besides, what’s a few hours of my time to fill out the application to change my freaking life? Heck to the yes!”

OR

The coach you’ve been dying to work with is finally relaunching her signature one-on-one program. You think, “Eesh! That’s way more expensive than I thought it’d be! But hey, I bet I could get the extra money for it if I call back the marketing contact my mom put me in touch with a while ago. It’ll be a couple of crazy months, biting my tongue in a job I’m not thrilled about, but it’s so worth it to work with the person I know is going to help me get where I want to go!”

When we approach any situation from a place of scarcity, we reinforce the belief that there’s simply not enough to go around. That shit is scary…especially when it comes to the stuff we really, really want! It kicks us out of the game for good. No beuno.

When we approach life from an abundance mindset, we get over our fear of failure and increase the odds of success significantly.

Alright, now that you know what an abundance mindset is, we’ve got to clear the path. That means we’ve got to get rid of some of the scarcity mindsets that could talk you out of really owning it like the abundant powerhouse you are.

Ditch the “if only’s”

We’ve all been there. If only…

… I had “X” I’d be successful…

… My love life just looked like “Y” I’d be happy…

… I could lose “Z” amount of pounds, I’d finally get those professional head shots my LinkedIn profile desperately needs.

It’s natural to want. But can I level with you? Rarely does this deep desire for the things we don’t have, pay off. These statements keep us focused on the future rather than staying centered and abundant in our present. So every time you feel an “if only” coming on, try practicing gratitude for your present moment: the very people, places and experiences you have directly in front of you.

For instance, if you find yourself throwing out “if only” statements when it comes to love, as in “if only” I could find a boyfriend then I wouldn’t have to take all of these amazing trips alone. Focus on how taking these trips alone will actually prepare you to meet and identify the kind of person you actually do want to spend the rest of your life with. Maybe there’s a reason you need to take these trips alone. Maybe you’ll meet him/her along the way!

Put away your measuring stick.

This is one I struggled with for years. Everything in my life was about measuring. If I pay for “X” then it’s going to have to come out of the budget for “Y.” If I eat the donut then I’m going to have to abstain from sweets for the next week and a half. If I take this hectic but amazing job, I’ll have to give up Thursday trivia nights with my friends. It was a constant balancing act and it consistently reinforced the belief that by gaining one thing, I’d be losing another. A.k.a scarcity!

One of the best cures for this bad habit is putting away the measuring stick and embracing the beauty of AND. For instance, if I pay for “X” AND still want “Y” I’ll just have to earn $400 more dollars this month.

OR

If I eat the donut tonight AND sweets for the rest of the week, I’ll probably just have to pay extra attention to how my body feels. If it doesn’t feel great, then I’ll stop.

Opt out of the comparison game

I know, social media makes it so dang hard! I mean how are you supposed to focus on the beauty of your own life when that blogger with perfect lighting, perfect white walls, designer couches and her DSLR make “the dream” look so stupidly simple?

Jealousy is one of the fastest ways to kill your abundance buzz. It makes us feel less than, less worthy and whole heck of a lot less hopeful that things are going to turn up for us. But in the long run, it’s utterly useless.

As natural as it may feel in the moment to sulk over why someone else’s success isn’t your own, continuing to focus your energy on the scarcity in your life — what she/he has that you don’t — will only increase the doom and gloom.

So instead of resorting to social media stalking or resentment, tell your ego to cut the crap. Find her contact information and go introduce yourself! Ask her how she got to where she is now, what kind of product keeps her hair looking so fresh or how in the world she takes those beautiful flat lays.

Not only will you be able to offload all the negative energy that comes with jealousy, but you’ll probably find that she’s not a super hero with magical powers. She’s a regular human who just happens to be a couple of steps ahead of you. Best of all, abundantly speaking, if a regular human like her can do it…so can you!

So there you have it! Life’s too short to waylay your dreams for the sake of scarcity. Go out and brave those big goals with a newly paved path for your abundance mindset to take shape. Because on a purely selfish note, I want to reap all the benefits of a world filled to the brim with your incredible talents!

Related

Hi I'm Amina! A Chicago blogger and self help addict learning to put my energy where my happy is. After years of listening to my fearful ego, I'm finding abundance in my intuitive present and love helping everyday women do the same. I'm a sassy yogi, cheesecake chef and expert napper on the good days. Currently on a mission to find the best donut in Chicago.

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About Me

Hi there! I'm Rachel, the founder of #TCMillennial. I am a multi-passionate millennial who loves helping others embrace who they truly are while figuring out this whole "adult" thing. On the blog, you'll find all things #adulting like: real talk, tips for professional development, and so much more! If you want to write a guest post or request a topic, get in touch!